Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang has refuted the so-called "China threat" theory, saying anyone who can understand and recognize China's foreign policy would "never regard China as a threat".

Qin told a routine press conference Thursday that China has always pursued peaceful development, never seeking hegemony, pursuing power politics or interfering in other countries' internal affairs.

He said China advocates multilateralism and international cooperation, holding that international disputes should be solved through peaceful negotiation, avoiding recourse to arms wherever possible.

In reply to criticism that China's defense expenditure is opaque, Qin retorted, "What's your response if your neighbour keeps peeking into your house through a crack in the door and yelling 'Open the door, let's see what's inside'? Will you call the police?"

The purpose of China maintaining a certain amount of defence power is to defend the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, not for overseas expansion, said Qin.

"China adheres to peaceful development and advocates a harmonious society of lasting peace and common prosperity. That's what has allowed China to win trust, cooperation and friends in the world," Qin said.

China's defense expenditure is low compared with some other countries, particularly major powers. According to the white paper on China's National Defense issued in December 2006, China's military expenditure in 2005 was 247 billion RMB (32 billion U.S. dollars), 67 percent of the Japanese figure but only six percent of the American figure.